Front lower brace

[walkinginperu]

Hi guys, has anyone got one of these fitted that they could take a photo of for me? I'm moving next week so have no cash, but I fancy making one myself on the cheap. I can get steel etc from work, just need to get the design done on CAD, so I need to get a better idea of how it fits to the control arms.
I was thinking of just using mild steel tube with some inserts to hold the control arm bolts in place and then powder coating it. It should look very similar to the OMP ones when it's done. Any help (especially photos!) would be much appreciated.

[hyperdrinky]

Hi Guys,

Can you post the dimensions for this as well if you can? I bought a lower brace about 2 years ago cheaply from . Took me about 3 months to get time to get it fitted, only to find that the brace was too short. By this point the Ebay chap was well and truely gone. I'm trying to find out if the brace is incorrect or my wishbones / subframe are damaged. If it turns out the brace is for a mark 1 or something like that then it'll be free to a good home for one of the members.

Saying that... chassis should be the same no a mk1 or 2. Owell.

James

[walkinginperu]

Unlucky James. One of the reasons for making my own brace (other than $$$ of course!) is so I know it will fit. Our cars are all 20 years old now so a fair bit of flexing and settling will have happened over that time. If it's not too bad a job making my own I might consider knocking some together for forum members to their own dimensions. Should still work out cheaper than the ones on ebay!

[bluestreak56]

Unlucky James. One of the reasons for making my own brace (other than $$$ of course!) is so I know it will fit. Our cars are all 20 years old now so a fair bit of flexing and settling will have happened over that time. If it's not too bad a job making my own I might consider knocking some together for forum members to their own dimensions. Should still work out cheaper than the ones on ebay!

That would be ace

[Risocco]

Nowt wrong with OMP ones from Rallydesign or Strutbracer. Bout £20 if I remember rightly?

They are supposed to be a tight fit anyways but mine went on with minimal fuss, car has covered 145k so not a "barn find" motor and there was no flexing to report

I have a picture of the brace fitted to my car, but photobucket is letting me down at the mo sorry guys.

Alex

[Risocco]

Sorry guys, best picture I can offer at the mo...



Sure Sean, Bill, Ryan or some of the other picture collectors will be here to help out

Alex

[walkinginperu]

Thanks for that, just the job. I'll get my prototype done next week, then if anyone else wants one I'll see what the reaction is. Did you notice a big difference in the handling after fitting this?

[Risocco]

Yes mate, big difference! Car wasn't lowered too when I fit it so perfect conditions to notice. Think I'm right in saying the 16vs came with lower braces as standard. But they were different in that they had extra arms that went onto the wishbones. "K bars" I believe they were called due to their shape.

Anyways, fit one dude, definatly worth it IMHO

Alex

[hyperdrinky]

See, This worries me a little. A lot perhaps.

The one I have is identical to the one above, but it's about 2" too short. I really hope its just a cheap knock off or the wrong one.

Can someone give me a measurement between the two front wishbones to check and see whats at fault?

James

[walkinginperu]

690mm on my 1988 1.6 GT Carb

[hyperdrinky]

Thanks Peru, I'll have a check.

[Ryan]

Sure Sean, Bill, Ryan or some of the other picture collectors will be here to help out

Alex

[GTXTRA]

similar to the C & R adjustable one via a club gti group buy.

[markh]

Heres mine, similar to GTXTRA's.

[Akinesis]

I fitted my OMP lower-brace today. It was a notch to short but with a little bit of gentle persuasion it went in eventually Won't get to try it out for a while yet, though. I've sat down with my partner-in-crime tonight and she should be flying aroung Keevil race-circuit on the 18th of next month Had to remove my top brace after fitting the weber, though. I've heard before many-a-time that the advantage of top-braces are a myth anyway, but I'm sure I can get it to fit with a few small spacers and some modifications to the airbox. Anyone successfully fitted a top brace with a weber in place before??